Pitching and Pitchers Discussion What is a normal Speed for a 9 year old pitcher?

Rerun

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What is a normal Speed for a 9 year old pitcher?
 

daboss

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An average around high 20's to mid 30's. You don't see many that age able to throw 40 mph. Even fewer at mid 40's. Really depends on their stature and mindset. Some throw with reckless abandon while others are more inclined to hit the target. 35 mph from 35' is a nice looking pitch!

Accuracy? Let's just say on the average 5 out of 10 (50%) in the strike zone is reasonably common at 9 yrs old after 6 months of training. Most will be less the first year (30%-40%). At 10 yrs old you really begin to see the fruits of their labor if they really work on it. Not uncommon to still be working on sound technique and mechanics the first year or 2 to insure a safe and clean pitch over time.

I used to tell parents to wait till they are 10 yrs old to start because they seem to be more likely to understand and execute at a higher %. Nowadays, I've run across some 9 yrs olds' and even 8 yrs olds' that at minimum are having fun with it. Hard to keep their attention span for a full hour the way I run my sessions but still fun.
 

AndrewGeorge

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An average around high 20's to mid 30's. You don't see many that age able to throw 40 mph. Even fewer at mid 40's. Really depends on their stature and mindset. Some throw with reckless abandon while others are more inclined to hit the target. 35 mph from 35' is a nice looking pitch!

Accuracy? Let's just say on the average 5 out of 10 (50%) in the strike zone is reasonably common at 9 yrs old after 6 months of training. Most will be less the first year (30%-40%). At 10 yrs old you really begin to see the fruits of their labor if they really work on it. Not uncommon to still be working on sound technique and mechanics the first year or 2 to insure a safe and clean pitch over time.

I used to tell parents to wait till they are 10 yrs old to start because they seem to be more likely to understand and execute at a higher %. Nowadays, I've run across some 9 yrs olds' and even 8 yrs olds' that at minimum are having fun with it. Hard to keep their attention span for a full hour the way I run my sessions but still fun.

Daboss, you make pitching so much fun that Mak cannot wait to come back to you ( I will be reaching out to you today I hopefully get on the schedule).

From what I have seen in fall ball, lower 30s seems to be a pretty common speed but accuracy is all over the place. I tend to clock most pitchers a few times with my pocket radar to get a feel. Admitted there are not many 9U teams out there so these are mostly 9 year olds turning 10 vs 8 year old turning 9 (this is fall ball remember).
 

ChrisDennis13

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My DD started pitching at 9.5yrs. old last March. Pitches that actually made it to a catchers glove then was averaging like 30-33. We started with an instructor in late May, accuracy increased significantly as did her speed. With improved technique and accuracy, came speed. By summer ball she was averaging 35-36, end of summer her strength had grown and she was averaging 37-38. She set the goal of 40 by end of fall. By late September she hit and passed an average of speed of 40 seeing more of an average of 41-42 when she turned 10yrs. old that month. Now we are targeting 45 by the beginning of Spring Ball.

All this is strictly her fast ball. Along with this is we continue to develop her change up and one more pitch. Plus, we continue to work accuracy with speed. What good is 45MPH if it is in the dirt or fence.

I also take averages; has she hit 45, yes like 3 time out of hundreds of pitches.... I am not her claiming my kid can throw 45. I think averages is the more important measure.

Now, that said you are going to hear a bunch of people tell you outrageous numbers the classic "My girl is 8.5 and throws 54 mph!" Don't let that detour you or her in her goals. Set a goal and work at it. Whether that is accuracy, speed, a new pitch, a better change up.... strength.....

That said, our #1 pitcher is basically the same age as my daughter. She started pitching a year before us. By end of fall ball, we were measuring her at 44-45 average and I radared her personally to see a 47 one night at practice. The draw back is she can be a bit wild, but when she is on, it is cool to watch. My Daughter uses her as someone to chase, which just makes the whole team better. ;)
 

larson

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Speed? Thats all parents of young ones are concerned with? Lets get them perfecting "ACCURACY". Throwing a fastball and change with this main ingredient will really help your daughter grow with this great sport! Just sayin
 

SOFTBALLISFUN

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When you start what you want is the same correct mechanics every time! Stikes and speed will come!
 
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